Ambulance response times for emergency calls across Bedfordshire have improved significantly over the past year, with paramedics reaching seriously ill patients six minutes faster than in the previous 12 months.
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) highlighted the progress in its Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26, marking the first time since the pandemic that the trust met the national Category 2 response target.
Faster responses
During the 2025/26 reporting period, EEAST achieved the national average standard of 30 minutes for Category 2 calls in March 2026.
The standard has now been updated to a temporary target of 25 minutes for 2026/27.
Alongside faster responses for emergency calls, the trust reported top national performance in specialist clinical care, including stroke care, cardiac arrest treatment and post-cardiac arrest support.
A new Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest desk established by the trust is already improving survival outcomes and is now being adopted by other NHS trusts across the country.
Alternative care
Read: Ambulance phone triage team wins top East of England award
More local people are also being directed to alternative care options without needing a trip to hospital.
Hear and Treat rates rose to 18%, meaning nearly one in five patients received clinical advice, assessment or support over the phone or were signposted to appropriate local healthcare services.
The trust also reported a 9% rise in operational productivity and reduced vehicle downtime, ensuring more ambulances were available on the road.
Addressing the performance results, chief executive of EEAST Neill Moloney said: “I am incredibly proud of what our people have achieved over the last year.
All our key measures have improved significantly, and we have demonstrated what can be achieved when our people come together with a shared focus on improving care for patients.
“We have seen improvements in response times and increased the number of patients receiving the right care in the right place.
“These achievements are only possible because of the exceptional dedication and professionalism of our staff, volunteers and partners across the east of England.”
Future priorities
Despite the operational gains, the trust admitted in its report that significant challenges remain across the region.
Reducing hospital handover delays and continuing to improve staff experience, wellbeing and organisational culture remain key focus areas for the 2026/27 financial year.
Looking ahead to the coming year, Neill added, “While challenges remain, we are determined to continue building on this progress and working with our partners across the NHS to improve services for the communities we serve and for our people working to deliver that care.”
The full Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26 is available on the EEAST website.
